If you’re interested in an IT career, you have a decision to make: pursue a formal college education or go the self-learning route through online tutorials and independent study.
So, which approach provides the strongest chance for a lasting and successful career?
The answer: a combination of both. A college diploma program can give you the credibility, foundational knowledge, and job-ready skills you need to get started in the tech industry. But you will have to be a lifelong learner if you want to sustain a career in this fast-moving field.
This post lays out why structured college programs offer distinct advantages over self-study—and how they can set you up for lasting success in the IT field.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why College Training Matters in the IT Industry
- Benefits of College Training vs. Self-Study
- Choosing the Right Technology Program
- Is College Training the Be-All and End-All?
WHY COLLEGE TRAINING MATTERS IN THE IT INDUSTRY
The tech industry has a reputation for valuing skills over credentials, but the reality is more nuanced. First, you have to get past the HR screening process.
For hiring managers reviewing hundreds of applications, credentials often serve as a first filter. HR systems and recruiters frequently use educational qualifications to shortlist candidates. Without formal education or a recognized credential, even highly skilled self-taught individuals may struggle to get their foot in the door.
“There are many people in IT who have good jobs who don’t have a diploma. There’s no denying that. But it does make things more difficult,” says Herzing cybersecurity instructor Sergio Gonzalez.
“When you don’t have a diploma, you don’t pass the screening process, and you don’t even get an interview. You might be the best in your city at cybersecurity, but if you don’t get the interview, you can’t demonstrate your skills. Then you have to try to make a connection who can get you an interview, but not everyone can do that.”
BENEFITS OF COLLEGE TRAINING VS. SELF-STUDY
There are several advantages to college training when it comes to technology career preparation:
Structured Learning
With thousands of tutorials, courses, and learning platforms available online, determining what to learn, in what order, and in what depth can be tough. If you have no experience in IT, you may not know what you should focus on. Many self-learners spend months jumping between different resources without developing deep expertise in any area.
“I think one of the problems we have right now for self-learners is that there is too much information,” says Sergio.
“You have thousands of results for every search. It’s not always easy to see what information is good, bad, or even misleading. I’ve read blogs by people who don’t have a lot of experience, and they say things that are not very accurate. Some people need guidance on where to go for their information.”
College programs provide a well-defined curriculum that starts with the fundamentals before moving on to more advanced topics. This structured approach eliminates the guesswork involved in self-learning. It also imposes discipline and accountability, which can be more difficult if you’re totally on your own.
Many people appreciate the structure of a college program
Certification Preparation
College programs often integrate preparation for certifications from CompTIA, Cisco, and Microsoft directly into the curriculum. These certifications require substantial preparation and often carry prerequisites that self-learners might overlook.
College programs provide structured pathways to these certs, with experienced instructors who understand the certification landscape and can guide you toward the most valuable credentials for your chosen specialization. Some colleges even offer discounted certification exams.
Access to Instructor Feedback and Mentorship
Learning in isolation is risky. It’s easy to skip over certain topics or concepts because you think you’ve mastered them, but college requires you to prove your understanding. Instructor feedback also helps you identify your weaknesses and skills gaps so you can work to overcome them.
“This is another problem with some self-learners: they’re very good at whatever they have read about, but when you bring them out of that topic, they lack necessary foundational knowledge,” says Sergio.
Plus, college instructors are typically working professionals with current industry experience. They understand the practical skills and knowledge needed for career success because they’re still in the field. That means they can provide detailed advice about career paths, industry trends, and job market realities.
“My role as an instructor is not only marking assignments, it’s guiding students through the workflow. It’s a mentoring process. I’m always trying to get them to be more and more independent so that when they get their diploma, they can work without someone telling them what to do every single minute,” says Sergio.
Soft Skills
College programs help you develop soft skills alongside your technical abilities. While self-study can build strong technical knowledge, it rarely replicates the collaborative, deadline-driven environments found in college programs.
Instructors intentionally design group projects and presentations to strengthen communication, teamwork, and time management skills. You learn to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences and work with peers to meet shared objectives.
“We teach technical tools and knowledge, but the skills we emphasize are mostly soft skills,” says Sergio. “I’m trying to teach students skills like critical thinking, problem solving, being autonomous, being independent. And those are more difficult to teach because you don’t learn those skills in one month. It takes practice, practice, practice.”
Networking and Career Services
One of the biggest advantages of formal education is the chance to build your professional network. You get to form relationships with peers, instructors, and industry partners that can lead to job referrals, collaborations, and lifelong professional connections. Lots of people land jobs through people they met in college!
Colleges often have established relationships with local and national employers. These connections translate into job placement support, exclusive job postings, and direct recruitment opportunities for graduates.
Plus, career advisors help students tailor their resumes, prepare for interviews, and identify roles that match their skills and interests. This personalized support gives college-trained candidates an edge in the job market.
College programs offer fantastic networking opportunities
Internships and Real-World Experience
College technology programs often include internships or work placements that provide invaluable real-world experience beyond training courses. These internships allow you to apply classroom learning in professional environments while building your resume and expanding your network.
Internships can lead directly to full-time job offers, with many companies using internship programs as extended interview processes. Students who perform well as interns have significant advantages when competing for entry-level positions, as employers already know their capabilities and cultural fit.
Self-learners rarely have access to similar opportunities, as most internship programs are limited to students.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Not all technology programs offer equal value. When evaluating your options, consider several key factors:
Industry partnerships: Look for programs with strong industry connections, including advisory boards with working professionals, corporate partnerships, and regular guest speakers from major technology companies.
Modern curriculum: The programs should regularly update their curriculum to reflect current industry needs and emerging technologies. Look for programs that incorporate cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other high-demand specializations.
Hands-on components: Prioritize programs with labs, projects, and internship opportunities. The best programs balance theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Faculty qualifications: Research the backgrounds of instructors. They should have relevant industry experience. Look for programs where faculty members maintain current certifications and industry connections.
Career services: Strong programs provide comprehensive career support, including job placement assistance, interview preparation, and ongoing alumni services.
Flexible options: Consider whether the program offers flexible scheduling, online delivery, or accelerated options that can accommodate working professionals or non-traditional students.
IS COLLEGE TRAINING THE BE-ALL AND END-ALL?
Of course not. But it is a solid launching point.
“I tell my students that if you like things to be static, where you learn something and you apply that knowledge for many years, IT is not for you. Even once you get your diploma, you need to keep learning. I’m very good at some things, but I still lack knowledge about some other things, and that’s why I try to read about new technologies and new ways of doing things,” says Sergio.
“Our program gives students the foundation from which they can build a career. It’s giving them the tools to become effective self-learners.”
EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AT HERZING
If you’re serious about launching or advancing your tech career, a college program is a smart investment. It’s not just about learning—it’s about building confidence, credibility, and connections.
Herzing College offers career-focused diploma programs in several areas of IT, including networking, cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics. Each program takes no more than 16 months to complete and includes an internship for real work experience.
Click below to learn more about what we have to offer and chat live with an admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
